Dive charters in Panama City area- any suggestions?

[OCDinNC]

Looks like a family vacation to Panama City this August. (Hurricanes, stay away...)

I will look to get in 2-3 days of diving. I have dived the Keys (just got back last week), Jupiter, and some springs and such, but not the panhandle yet. Any Conchs out there have some good advice for dive operators and specific site recommendations? I love wrecks, down to 130 or so. Any reefs up there at all?

 

[Diveral]

I have dove with just about everyone down there and here are a few links:
Favorite Dives: Chippewa, Black Bart, Akkokeek, Gray Ghost - PM me if you want specific information or recommendations. Reefs are deep and you won't see the coral or tropicals that you see in the keys.
http://www.aquaexplorers.com/Florida_shipwrecks_west_coast.htm

http://www.divelockerpcb.com/ ;good shop, six passenger boats; Dive with Pat Kennedy if you take the charter!

http://www.pcdivecenter.com/ ; another good shop & have a mixture a 9 -20 passenger dive boats.

http://www.gigli-divers-den.com/interest.htm ; a smaller shop and handles smaller groups of divers (I had great dives with them but the ownership has changed since I last dove with them. I don't know what the currrent management is like)

http://www.hydrospace.com/ the big cattle boat operation. If you like diving with lots of people, big boats with amenities (bathrooms can be important) this is the place for you (PCDC is an alternative)

 

[Pondfrog]

I recommend diving a wreck named the Chippewah not to be confused with the Chickasaw (both in the PC area). The Chippewah is quite a ways out and not the typical 2-tank trip. I always enjoy the extra time on the boat anyways.

I think that huge aircraft carrier is scheduled to be sunk off the coast of Pensacola this summer but I have no further info.

As far as operators go, I've dove with both Hydrospace and PC dive center and had a great time with both.

Patrick

 

[Pondfrog]

In response to Diveral about the cattle boats at Hydrospace and PCDC- he's right. . . except when I take the longer trips to the Chippewa, they've always put me on smaller boats (six packs) which is "the only way to go" in my opinion. I try to stay away from the cattle boats at all costs.

 

[Jethroish]

Just talked to the folks at PC Dive Center. They bought Hydrospace's boats. Hydrospace no longer does dive charters.
I have used both in the past and PC and Hydro were both great.
Wife and I will be diving with PC Dive Center the last week of June.

 

[mike_s]

Just talked to the folks at PC Dive Center. They bought Hydrospace's boats. Hydrospace no longer does dive charters.
I have used both in the past and PC and Hydro were both great.
Wife and I will be diving with PC Dive Center the last week of June.

uhhmmmmm when did this happen? (the purchase/transisition)

 

[Jethroish]

uhhmmmmm when did this happen? (the purchase/transisition)

Not sure, but I had emailed Hydrospace a few days ago and their response was:

Unfortunately, Hydrospace will no longer be offering dive charters as of
January 1st, 2006. We recommend you contact Panama City Diver Center at
(850) 235-3390. They should be able to take care of your needs. Thank you!

Daniel
Hydrospace Dive Shop
dive@hydrospace.com

 

[OCDinNC]

Thanks for all the good tips, guys! Looking forward to trying a new area this summer!

 

[davisdiver]

Dive Locker is where I recommend. We drove all the way from Indianapolis, IN to take instruction from them, TWICE! Have fun and while you're there, check out St Andrews State Park. It's a nice place to visit.

 

[aue-mike]

I went around to most of the shops in PC checking charter destinations last summer and it was pretty lame. None of the shops would run charters to the EMPIRE MICA, or anything other than dinky artificial reefs or livebottom. A few would run out to the TARPON, but not all of them. With the numerous charter boats out of PC it was disappointing to say the least.
I would opt for a 6-pack operation like Capt. Erik's:
http://www.killfishcharters.com/
He runs where you want to run, and will run year-round.